Pilot Study 2: University of South Australia

PILOT STUDY 2

University of South Australia (School of Pharmacy and Medical Science)

Course:

Molecules to Tissues A and Molecules to Tissues B (1st year core course, student enrolments from 12 different programs)

Structure:

Lectures, tutorials, lab workshops, practical classes, exam

Students:

350

Staff:

20

Pilot:

March – July 2017, July – Nov 2017

Description: Mol to Tissues A and B are 2 core first year prerequisite courses for most second year courses in PMB. UNISA no longer have prerequisites for entry into the PMB programs, therefore the majority of students entering Mol to Tissues A and B have not done Biology of Chemistry. As a result students often struggle with the body of knowledge in the 6–8 weeks in addition to the content which continues as students move into S2.

Keeping track of student attendance and performance, in particular over the first 4-6 weeks, is critical for success. It has previously been demonstrated that <30% online engagement is associated with a fail in both courses.